S4 E15: Modern Policing, Recruitment Challenges, and Community Service with Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr

Ann Donnelly on October 6, 2026

In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr for an open, wide-ranging conversation on leadership, community-centered policing, and the modern realities of county law enforcement. From growing up in a West Glens Falls mobile home park to completing 35 years of dedicated public service, Sheriff LaFarr shares his inspiring personal journey from part-time summer detail in Lake George to leading a multi-faceted agency of 250 employees.

S4 E14: Anonymity is the Enemy of Growth: Building a Marketing Engine That Converts

Ann Donnelly on September 23, 2026

What happens when you have the best product in town, but nobody knows you exist? In this role-reversal episode of Building Success Stories, regular host Ann Donnelly hands the mic to guest host Janice Durant, Chief Franchise Matchmaker at New Trails Business Consultants. Together, they dissect the foundational pillars of business survival: branding, budgeting, and the raw truth that passion alone does not equal sales. From the specific percentages you should be spending on marketing at every stage of your business, to the hidden advantages of the franchise model, this episode is a strategic masterclass on converting anonymity into authority.

S1 E1: Walking Out of the Darkness with AFSP NENY Executive Director Missy Stolfi

Ann Donnelly on September 9, 2026

Suicide prevention is everybody’s business. In this debut episode of the AFSP Northeastern New York podcast, guest host Ann Donnelly (North Country Media Network) speaks with Missy Stolfi, Executive Director of the AFSP Northeastern New York Chapter. Together, they discuss the transformative power of coming together as a community, what to expect at the upcoming Out of the Darkness Community Walks, and how grassroots action across our 15-county region is saving lives and bringing hope to thousands.

S4 Bonus Episode: From Hidden to High-Traffic: Scaling Tease Salon & Beauty Bar Glens Falls NY

Ann Donnelly on September 2, 2026

How does relocating your brick-and-mortar business change your growth trajectory? In this bonus episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly visits Tease Salon & Beauty Bar on South Street in Glens Falls to speak with owner MeLinda Stanley. After eight years in a hidden spot, MeLinda shares how moving to a highly visible downtown location spurred a 20% growth in her business, driven by a massive increase in walk-in traffic. From grassroots marketing at the local farmers market to navigating downtown infrastructure changes, this episode is a quick masterclass in adapting to local economic shifts and scaling a service-based business to meet explosive demand.

S4 E12: Unlocking Upstate NY: Small Business Resources, Upskilling & Economic Strategy with Carrie Woerner

Ann Donnelly on August 25, 2026

In this episode of the Building Success Stories Podcast, Ann Donnelly sits down with Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner at ADKtechs headquarters to dissect the economic engines driving Upstate New York. They trace Carrie’s strategic career shifts, from the early days of e-commerce to shaping policy for a diverse, 135,000-person district spanning Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties.

S4 Bonus Episode: Inside Floro’s Mercantile Glens Falls with Owner Ali Gazetos Mineo

Ann Donnelly on August 25, 2026

Coming from the family behind the iconic New Way Lunch, Ali shares how she transformed her great-grandfather’s original 86-year restaurant footprint into a curated clothing and accessory boutique. Whether you’re curious about downtown commercial revitalization, the logistics of retail seasonality, or how to build a complementary business network in a growing city, this episode offers a firsthand look at Upstate New York’s retail evolution.

S4 Bonus Episode: Inside Hometown Shop with Kara Magoolaghan – The South Street Glens Falls Renaissance

Ann Donnelly on August 21, 2026

In this exclusive bonus feature of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly has a conversation with Kara Magoolaghan, co-owner of Hometown Shop on the newly revitalized South Street. Kara shares the origin story of her unique storefront – how the commercial space “found her” and inspired a mission to help residents inject personality into their new white-box apartments.

S4 E11: The South Street Renaissance: How NYS DRI & Private Investment are Transforming Glens Falls

Ann Donnelly on August 19, 2026

What happens when ambitious private investment leverages the momentum of a $10M New York State DRI initiative? Look no further than the newly revitalized 46-56 South Street block in Downtown Glens Falls. Just a year ago, this block was defined by chain-link fences and vacant windows. Today, thanks to developer Chris Patten and a wave of young entrepreneurs, it is a self-sustaining micro-economy.